When decorating a commercial, industrial or office space, it is not always possible to make every decision with an entirely eco-friendly focus. There are time constraints, durability requirements, and specific colour scheme briefs to stick to. However, by making small but significant considerations during a design and decoration process, an eco-friendly decoration can occur almost without your noticing!

Green is more than a colour

Of course, if green issues are central to your corporate identity, it is in keeping that an office space or central hub is structured and decorated with this principle in mind. Eco-friendly paints have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. Indeed, low odour paints are also quick drying so you can be both environmentally friendly and save days on your redecoration all at the same time.

A question of time

It’s not always necessary to use only eco brands to be considerate to the environment though. Consider the longevity of your decoration. By choosing a durable and washable paint, the frequency of re-painting can be decreased. The balance of when to use different paint types is delicate though: cover your entire office space in a durable paint and you could regret it. Finish, tone and atmosphere are all vital in achieving a positive working environment. An internal or external space should be a mixture of tones and finishes to give it depth and warmth.

Upcycling – just a fad?

Not necessarily. By consulting with a professional decorator, you have access to a wealth of other skills. You can commission bespoke pieces of furniture which sit perfectly in the design and colour scheme that you have visualised. Bespoke furniture doesn’t have to be made from scratch though; upcycling or repurposing existing elements of an office or school is an excellent way to reduce waste. With the right vision and a discerning eye, a decorator can identify ways to reduce your waste and update your look all in one step.

Recycling is all around

When you embark on a redecoration project, ensure that you have considered how your design supports your ongoing green policies. Have you ensured space for ample recycling points for paper and plastics? How about in public areas? Could recycling bins be built into larger structures that will form part of your redecoration, such as reception desks or kitchens? Are they clearly signposted and accessible? These are all questions which should be answered during the detailed design process, and it is increasingly important to get these aspects right in order to fulfil green policies.

Seeing into the future

Make sure to redesign or redecorate your office or commercial space with future-proofing in mind. Consider how your organisation could grow in the space, for example. Is there space for departments to increase in number? How about social spaces? By projecting your corporate future, you can avoid a costly redesign a couple of years down the line. This obviously has a budgetary benefit, but it also helps to avoid future waste by avoiding the disposal of parts of a structure that would become obsolete if not designed with the future in mind.

Often, considerations of a redecoration or refurbishment design that have a low impact on the environment will also carry a long-term cost saving. So when you make decisions that are considered within a long-term plan, avoiding excessive waste, you will subconsciously be working to an eco-friendly workspace design. It can be a challenge to predict how decorative details and fixtures will grow, evolve or endure once space is in use by a large number of people. That’s OK though, we know all those things, so just ask.